REPORT OF THE BOTANIST. 



For the year, ending November 30th, 1901, the work in the Botan- 

 ical Department has been largely upon the two acres of the Experi- 

 ment Area at the College Farm, supplemented with studies in the 

 Laboratory and field work in various parts of the Stf^.te. 



As for the past eight years the experiments in the field have been 

 largely devoted to truck crops, with less attention to tests of fungi- 

 cides and more to the breeding of varieties of corn, beans, eggplants, 

 tomatoes, cucumbers, squashes, etc. 



Starting with a white and a black variety of sweet corn in 1899, a 

 combination of the two has resulted in a few instances, the present 

 season, in ears that were entirely with red grains. At the same time 

 interesting points in plant-breeding have been obtained. 



The crossing of a yellow variety of tomato with a red one has re- 

 sulted in producing plants of remarkable vigor and a blending of 

 qualities that may be of much profit. One of the results is a number 

 of plants that are remarkable for healthy vine and fruits that are 

 nearly seedless. 



The work of combining two varieties of dwarf lima beans has re- 

 sulted in an improved sort that is very promising. In this connec- 

 tion there have been reversions to the pole type that with these new 

 crosses may prove advantageous. 



The most immediate results in the crossing have been with the 

 eggplants, and a new form has developed that may surpass all others 

 in the desirable qualities in this vegetable fruit. All the crosses 

 show a vigor and productiveness of plant that is very gratifying. 



In cucumbers the progress in breeding for a spineless fruit has pro- 

 gressed ; many types are reached but none are fixed. 



Squash crosses are showing some features of interest. 



The testing of salad plants has been continued and the Swiss Chard 

 and New Zealand spinach have shown much to recommend them for 

 general use. 



The hybrid salsify has bloomed and fruited this season and a good 

 stand of plants for testing the quality of the roots next year is now 

 upon the ground. 



Observations upon the asparagus rust have been continued and 



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